Chatham Community Library will host a El Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead celebration on Saturday, November 3, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm in the Holmes Meeting Room.

Sharon Mujica

The Library’s celebration begins with a presentation on the history of the holiday. Sharon Mujica, former Director of the Yucatec Maya Program at the Institute for the Study of the Americas at UNC-Chapel Hill will speak about the cultural significance of Día de los Muertos and how the observance has taken root in the United States. Mexican artist Jesús Pastor will lead a workshop on creating collage and sugar skulls.

In collaboration with the Artist Studio Project, Chilean composer and

storyteller Carlos Antonio Salvo will perform original compositions. Salvo’s music transposes the neocolonialism of the Americas by setting social realities to lyrics and harmonies; the essence of the international New Song Movement.

Mexican artist Jesús Pastor

Traditional dance from Latin and South America will be performed by the Lee County Magetsi 4-H Club.

Other activities include bi-lingual storytelling, crafts, and face painting. A large ofrenda will be displayed on which attendees are welcome to place items of their own to remember their loved ones. The ofrenda, when created in part by the community, becomes a symbol that people from all cultures can identify with. Traditional foods and beverages will also be available.